Northwestel has introduced a new family of calling plans for its Latitude Wireless customers across the North. The new plans offer choice, affordability and simplicity, for both local and long distance calling.

There are four new plans that cover local calling (which include free long distance within the Latitude network), three new long distance calling plans and three shared plans.

“When we first established Latitude Wireless, we made a commitment to review our rate plans annually to ensure we are doing the best we can for our customers,” said Curtis Shaw, Northwestel Vice President Consumer and Small Business Markets. “As a result of our latest review, we’re introducing this brand new family of calling plans that offer simplicity and more value. We believe the new plans should meet everyone’s needs, for both local and long distance calling. They are designed to be affordable and easy to understand, with no hidden fees.”

The new plans cover all areas of the North that receive Latitude Wireless service. Rates are competitive with all major carriers in Canada, for both service and hardware. The Latitude Wireless network supports Blackberries and other smartphones, including mobile web and email access, and many entertainment and social networking applications such as Facebook Mobile.

Customers using the former Latitude Wireless plans will be able to keep their service until they are ready to switch to a new plan.

The new local calling plans, called North Light, North Plus, North Max and North Extreme, offer monthly rates ranging from $20.00 for 100 anytime minutes to $50.00 for 600 anytime minutes.

The new long distance calling plans, called Canada Light, Canada Plus and Canada Max, offer monthly rates ranging from $40.00 for 150 anytime minutes to $100.00 for 800 anytime minutes.

The new shared calling plans, called Pooled Light, Pooled Plus and Pooled Max, offer monthly rates ranging from $20.00 for 150 anytime local minutes to $40.00 for 350 anytime minutes.

For more information, customers may call 1-866-803-2365. As well, the new plans are described in detail at www.nwtel.ca in the Wireless section of the website. The website also shows which communities in the North are covered by Latitude Wireless service.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.